Automatic tile-based game machine

ABSTRACT

An automatic tile-based game machine includes a table. The table is provided with a shuffle mechanism, four conveying mechanisms, four stack mechanisms, four lift mechanisms and a central lift mechanism. The four conveying mechanisms the four stack mechanisms and the four lift mechanisms are disposed on four sides of the table. The central lift mechanism is disposed at the center of the table. The present invention has a simple configuration and the tiles can be shuffled quickly. Only one set of the tiles is required.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an automatic tile-based game machine.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Tile-based game machines, such as Domino machines and Okey machines, arepopular entertainments in Europe and Latin America. In the past, thetiles are shuffled manually. This way has some drawbacks. Accordingly,the inventor of the present invention developed an automatic Dominomachine as disclosed in Chinese Patent No. ZL200810062993.X. The Dominomachine comprises a card table with a tabletop. The middle of the cardtable is provided with a shuffle device having a conveying groove. Theshuffle device has tile passages around the shuffle device tocommunicate with the conveying groove. Four push and lift devices areprovided above the tile passages. Stack devices are provided between theconveying groove and the tile passages. This patent achieves automationto shuffle and deal the tiles to overcome the aforesaid drawbacks.

However, the automatic Domino machine has the following drawbacks. Thestructure is complicated and the time to shuffle the tiles is long.Through the complicated shuffle device, the stack device and the liftdevice, it takes about one minute or more from the tiles shuffled in theshuffle barrel to the tile lifted to the tabletop. The distance for thetiles to be conveyed from the shuffle barrel to the tabletop is long andthe tiles are jammed with ease. Two sets of the tiles are required, oneset is playing on the table and the other set is standby in the machine.After play, the other set is lifted to the tabletop. Because the time toshuffle and convey the tiles is long, two sets of tiles are required tosave the time.

Accordingly, the inventor of the present invention has devoted himselfbased on his many years of practical experiences to solve this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an automatictile-based game machine which has a simple configuration and iscost-effective. The tiles can be shuffled quickly and the failure rateis low.

In order to achieve the aforesaid object, the automatic tile-based gamemachine comprises a table. The table is provided with a shufflemechanism, four conveying mechanisms, four stack mechanisms, four liftmechanisms and a central lift mechanism. The four conveying mechanisms,the four stack mechanisms and the four lift mechanisms are disposed onfour sides of the table. The lift mechanism comprises a lift plate. Oneend of the lift plate is coupled to the table, and another end of thelift plate is a movable end. A lift bracket is provided under the liftplate. A crank is provided under the lift bracket to cooperate with thelift bracket. An electric motor is connected with the crank.

Preferably, the stack mechanism comprises a support seat. The supportseat communicates with the lift plate through a tile passage. Thesupport seat is disposed at the exit of the conveying mechanism. Theposition of the support seat is lower than the exit of the conveyingmechanism. A tile stop is provided opposite the exit of the conveyingmechanism. A detection light control is provided on the tile stop. Apush member is provided at one side of the support seat and installed ona push rod. The push rod is mounted on a transmission rack. Thetransmission rack is mounted on a slide rod. A transmission gear mesheswith the transmission rack. A stack motor is connected with thetransmission gear. The stack mechanism is direct connected with theconveying mechanism and the lift mechanism, instead of the conventionaltile passage. The support seat is improved. The push action is completedby the gear rack. The structure is simple. The distance and time for thetiles to be conveyed and stacked is greatly reduced. The tiles arepushed obliquely quickly. The gear rack facilitates the tiles to beconveyed stably.

Preferably, the shuffle mechanism is disposed at a central portion ofthe table. The shuffle mechanism comprises a shuffle barrel. The shufflebarrel comprises the shuffle plate therein. The shuffle plate has aplurality of scrape ribs thereon. A transmission gear is connected withthe shuffle plate. A main driving gear is connected with thetransmission gear. An electric motor is connected with the main drivinggear. A plurality of ribs is provided on the periphery of the shuffleplate. A plurality of strong magnets is provided under the shuffleplate.

Preferably, the conveying mechanism comprises a draw wheel. The drawwheel is disposed above a shuffle plate. The draw wheel comprises aplurality of small strong magnets therein. The conveying mechanismfurther comprises a driving wheel, a driven wheel and a conveying beltto connect the driving wheel, the driven wheel and the draw wheel. Aconveying motor is connected with the driving wheel. The structure issimple, the conveying distance is short, and the tiles can be conveyedmore quickly.

Preferably, the shuffle plate has a high central portion and a lowercircumferential edge to form an inclination. The shuffle plate has fourscrape ribs radially from the center of the shuffle plate. The structureis more simply and the tiles can be shuffled quickly. Each of the tileshas a weak magnet therein. Through the action of magnetism, the faces ofthe tiles are kept to face downward by the strong magnets. The drawwheel is disposed above the ribs of the shuffle plate. The conveyingmechanism further comprises a driving wheel, a driven wheel and aconveying belt to connect the driving wheel, the driven wheel and thedraw wheel. A tightening wheel is adapted to tighten the conveying belt.The support seat has a first end close to the push member and a secondend. The first end is lower than the second end. A small strong magnetis provided under the support seat. The movable end of the lift plate isprovided with a door. The door is provided with a restoring spring.

Preferably, one end of the crank is connected with the electric motorand another end of the crank is a movable end. The movable end of thecrank is provided with a bearing. The lift bracket has a hook extendingfrom a left side thereof to cooperate with the bearing. The crank isprovided with an induction magnet and a lift control plate correspondingin position to the crank. The lift control plate is provided with anupper sensor and a lower sensor corresponding in position to theinduction magnet of the crank when the lift plate is ascended anddescended. The tiles can be lifted more exactly and conveniently and thecost is lowered greatly.

Preferably, the conveying mechanism further comprises an electric valveand a tile sensor mounted on a side wall of a conveying passage. Theelectric valve is adapted to control pass of the tiles on the conveyingbelt in the conveying passage through disconnecting or connecting apower supply. The tile sensor is adapted to count the tiles passing theconveying belt. When the tiles reach a predetermined number, the tilesensor sends out a signal. The electric valve is controlled by thesignal from the tile sensor. It is convenient and exact to count numberof the tiles and to convey the exact number of the tile so as to enhancethe play of the machine game.

Preferably, the electric valve comprises an electric valve shaft, areset spring and an electromagnet. When the electric valve isdisconnected from the power source, the electric valve shaft isretracted in the electric valve by the reset spring. When the electricvalve is connected with the power source, by the action of theelectromagnet, the electric valve shaft extends out of the electricvalve to stop the surplus tiles. It is more convenient and exact toconvey the required number of the tile and the cost can be loweredgreatly.

Preferably, the push member of the stack mechanism has a contact surfaceat a certain angle. The contact surface of the push member is contactwith tiles and perpendicular to the lift plate when the lift plate isdescended to the lowest and the push member pushes the tiles to the liftplate. The tiles on the lift plate can be lifted to the tabletop inorder, which is beneficial to play the game.

Preferably, a lid is provided at an upper end of the push member. Thelid has a bottom surface. The tiles have a thickness. A distance definedbetween the bottom surface of the lid and the tiles is smaller than thethickness of the tiles. Alternatively, the lid is disposed at an upperend of the tile passage. The distance between the bottom surface of thelid and the tiles is smaller than the thickness of the tiles. Thisensures the topmost tile won't move upward when the tiles are pushed.Preferably, the distance between the bottom surface of the lid and thetiles is from 1 mm to 2 mm, which is beneficial to achieve the aforesaidobject.

Preferably, the stack mechanism further comprises a stop device. Thestop device comprises a pair of stop plates and an elasticity settingdevice. The pair of stop plates is disposed at two sides of the tilepassage. The elasticity setting device is mounted on the stop plates forthe stop plates to be pushed away toward the direction that the tilesare moved forward. The design can overcome the problems that the stackedtiles are not neat and the tiles fall to the lift plate.

Preferably, the pair of stop plates is disposed at both sides of thetile passage. There are two elasticity setting devices at each side. Thestop plates are mounted in the tile passage through the elasticitysetting devices. The elasticity setting spring is a torque spring. Thisis beneficial to overcome the problems that the stacked tiles are notneat and the tiles fall to the lift plate. The cost can be loweredgreatly.

Preferably, the conveying mechanism further comprises a sensor facingthe tiles on the conveying belt of the conveying mechanism to detect thetiles whether they face upward.

Compared to the prior art, the present invention has a simpleconfiguration and the tiles can be shuffled quickly about 5 to 8seconds. The present invention provides four places to draw tiles, stacktiles and lift tiles. The distance to shuffle and deal the tiles isshort. Only one set of tiles is required for playing games. The cost islowered greatly. There is no chain, turning angel and jam. The failurerate is low. There is no need for maintenance. The present inventionuses an oblique way to push the tiles instead of the conventionaltransverse way to push the tiles and/or the way to ascend/descend thetiles. Because the front end of the lift plate is fixed, the tiles areobliquely pushed from the bottom to the top and won't be jammed due toforeign articles or slight vibration of the tiles or displacement of thelift mechanism. One end of the lift plate is fixed to the tabletop,which is beneficial for a seamless connection of the lift plate and thetabletop to ensure a tidy machine and to play games conveniently. Thelift plate is driven by the crank, which can be operated stably andconveniently and has a simple configuration. The game machine can beoperated quietly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the shuffle mechanism taken alongline A-A of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the conveying mechanism taken alongline B-B of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the stack mechanism to push the tilestoward the lift mechanism;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the present invention in a first operatingstate;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the present invention in a secondoperating state;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the present invention in a third operatingstate;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the conveying device of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing the conveying device of the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing the oblique push member and the lid;

FIGS. 11 and 12 are schematic views showing the oblique push member andthe lid when in use;

FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing the stop device of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 14 is a top view showing the stop device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way ofexample only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic tile-based game machine comprises atable 1. The table 1 is provided with a shuffle mechanism 2, fourconveying mechanisms 3, four stack mechanisms 4, four lift mechanisms 5,and a central lift mechanism 6. The four conveying mechanisms 3, thefour stack mechanisms 4 and the four lift mechanisms 5 are disposed onfour sides of the table 1. The central lift mechanism 6 is disposed atthe center of the table 1. The central lift mechanism 6 is provided withoperation buttons to shuffle and lift tiles.

As shown in FIG. 2, the shuffle mechanism 2 is disposed at a centralportion of the table 1, and comprises a shuffle barrel 20. The shufflebarrel 20 comprises a shuffle plate 21 therein. In this embodiment, theshuffle plate 21 has a high central portion 211 and a lowercircumferential edge 212 to form an inclination. The shuffle plate 21has a plurality of scrape ribs 22 thereon. In this embodiment, there arefour scrape ribs 22 disposed radially from the center of the shuffleplate 21. A transmission gear 23 is connected with the shuffle plate 21.A main driving gear 24 is connected with the transmission gear 23. Anelectric motor 25 is connected with the main driving gear 24.

A plurality of strong magnets 26 are provided under the shuffle plate21. A plurality of ribs 28 are provided on the periphery of the shuffleplate 21. Each of Domino tiles 27 has a weak magnet therein. Through theaction of magnetism, the faces of the tiles 27 are kept to face downwardby the strong magnets 26. This is beneficial to shuffle the tiles so asto ensure accuracy and to enhance the speed of shuffle.

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the conveying mechanism 3 comprises adraw wheel 30. The draw wheel 30 is disposed above the ribs 28 of theshuffle plate 21. The draw wheel 30 comprises a plurality of smallstrong magnets 31 therein. In this embodiment, there are four smallstrong magnets 31 in the draw wheel 30. The conveying mechanism 3further comprises a driving wheel 32, a driven wheel 33 and a conveyingbelt 34 to connect the driving wheel 32, the driven wheel 33 and thedraw wheel 30. A tightening wheel 35 is adapted to tighten the conveyingbelt 34. A conveying motor 36 is connected with the driving wheel 32.

As shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the stack mechanism 4 comprises asupport seat 40 which is disposed at the exit of the conveying belt 34of the conveying mechanism 3. The position of the support seat 40 islower than the exit of the conveying mechanism 3, as shown in FIG. 3. Asmall strong magnet 41 is provided under the support seat 40. A tilestop 43 is provided opposite the exit of the conveying mechanism 3. Adetection light control 44 is provided on the tile stop 43. A pushmember 42 is provided at one side of the support seat 40 and installedon a push rod 47.

The push rod 47 is installed on a transmission rack 49 and slides alonga slide rod 48. The transmission rack 49 is installed on the slide rod48. A transmission gear 46 meshes with the transmission rack 49. A stackmotor 45 is connected with the transmission gear 46. In this embodiment,the support seat 40 has a first end close to the push member 42 and asecond end. The first end is lower than the second end, which isbeneficial to stack the tiles in order.

As shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 7, the lift mechanism 5 comprises a liftplate 54. The lift plate 54 communicates with the support seat 40 of thestack mechanism 4 though a tile passage 7. The tiles 27 are pushed bythe push member 42 through the tile passage 7 to the lift plate 54. Oneend of the lift plate 54 is coupled to the table 1 through a hinge 55.The lift board 54 can be turned about the hinge 55. Another end of thelift plate 54 is a movable end. A lift bracket 53 is provided under thelift plate 54. A crank 51 is provided under the lift bracket 53 tocooperate with the lift bracket 53. An electric motor 50 is connectedwith the crank 51. Preferably, the movable end of the lift plate 54 isprovided with a door 511. The door 511 is provided with a restoringspring 510.

Preferably, one end of the crank 51 is connected with the electric motor50 and another end of the crank 51 is a movable end. The movable end ofthe crank 51 is provided with a bearing 52. The lift bracket 53 has ahook 531 extending from a left side thereof to cooperate with thebearing 52. Through turning of the crank 51, when the bearing 52 ispushed to the lower end of the hook 531 at the left side of the liftbracket 53, the lift bracket 53 will descend by the push of the crank51. The end facing the tile passage 7 of the lift board 54 is driven bythe lift bracket 53 to descend for the tiles to be pushed forward. Whenthe tiles 27 are completely pushed to the lift board 54, the crank 51continues to turn from the hook 531 to the flat end. Thus, the liftbracket 53 drives the lift plate 54 to complete ascending.

The crank 51 is provided with an induction magnet 56, and a lift controlplate 59 corresponds in position to the crank 51. The lift control plate59 is provided with upper and lower sensors 57 corresponding in positionto the induction magnet 56 of the crank 51 when the lift plate 54 isascended and descended.

The procedures to practice the present invention are as follows:

1. Shuffling tile: When the user presses the operation button, thecentral lift mechanism will be lifted. The Domino tiles 27 are pushedinto the shuffle barrel 20. The operation button is pressed again todescend the central lift mechanism 6 to be flush with the tabletop ofthe table 1. The shuffle plate 21 starts to turn clockwise. The fourscrape ribs 22 on the shuffle mechanism 21 scatter the Domino tiles 27,and then the Domino tiles 27 are pushed to the circumferential edge ofthe shuffle plate 21. The four strong magnets 26 are disposed under thecircumferential edge of the shuffle plate 21. Each of the Domino tiles27 has a weak magnet therein. The Domino tiles 27 are kept to faceupward when they meet the strong magnets 26 by the principle that thesame magnetic poles are rejected and the different poles are attractedeach other. The ribs 28 on the shuffle plate 21 guide the tiles to thedraw wheel 30 of the conveying mechanism 3, as shown in FIG. 3. The drawwheel 30 is provided with the four small strong magnets 31. The drawwheel 30 is driven by the conveying motor 36 to bring the main drivingwheel 32. The main driving wheel 32 drives the conveying belt 34. Thetightening wheel 35 is adapted to adjust the tightness of the conveyingbelt 34 automatically. The other end of the conveying belt 34 isprovided with the driven wheel 33. The draw wheel 30 is driven by theconveying belt 34. The draw wheel 30 draws the tiles at the ribs 28 ofthe shuffle plate 21. The tiles are delivered to the support seat 40 ofthe stack mechanism 4 through the conveying belt 34. The position of thesupport seat 40 is lower than the exit of the conveying mechanism 3, asshown in FIG. 3. The small strong magnet 41 disposed under the supportseat 40 is adapted to attract the falling tiles. The first end of thesupport seat 40, close to the push member 42, is lower than the secondend, so that a number of the tiles can be stacked in order. The tilestop 43 in front of the support seat 40 is used to stop all the tiles.The detection light control 44 on the tile stop 43 is used to detect thedistance of the tiles and to count the tiles. Two tiles are stackedtogether to be a block. The transmission gear 46 is driven by the stackmotor 45 to bring the push rod 47 and the push member 42 to push thetiles. The push member 42 is reciprocated to push the tiles until thepredetermined number of the tiles, and then the shuffle mechanism 2 andthe stack mechanism 3 stop running to complete shuffle, as shown in FIG.4.

2. Lifting tiles: after the tiles are shuffled, the stacked tiles areascended to the tabletop. The user operates the operation button of thecentral lift mechanism 6 to drive the electric motor 50 to bring thecrank 51. The crank 51 is provided with the bearing 52. Through theturning of the crank 51, the bearing 52 is moved to the lower end of thehook at the left side of the lift bracket 53 and the other end of thelift plate 54 activated by the crank 51 is descended to the lowest to beinclined, as shown in FIG. 5. The lowest end of the lift plate 54 isflush with the tile passage 7. The crank 51 is provided with theinduction magnet 56, and the lift control plate 59 corresponds inposition to the crank 51. The lift control plate 59 is provided with theupper and lower sensors 57 corresponding in position to the inductionmagnet 56 of the crank 51 when the lift plate 54 is ascended anddescended. When the lift plate 54 is fully descended, the inductionmagnet 56 on the crank 51 will be turned to the lower sensor 57 of thelift control plate 59. The sensor 57 will send a signal to stop theelectric motor 50. The stack motor 45 drives the transmission gear 46,and the transmission gear 46 drives the transmission rack 49. Thetransmission rack 49 drives the push rod 47 and the push member 42. Thestack mechanism 4 runs to push the tiles 27 in the tile passage 7 to thelift plate 54 until all the tiles are over the lowest end of the liftplate 54 as shown in FIG. 6. This can prevent the tiles from holdingagainst the edge of the tabletop when the lift plate 54 is ascended. Atthe moment, the electric motor 50 drives the bearing 52 of the crank 51to the other end of the lift bracket 53 so as to raise the lift plate 54and the tiles. When the lift plate 54 and the tiles 8 are ascended to beflush with the tabletop, the crank 51 will be turned to the upper sensor57 and the upper sensor 57 will send a signal to stop the electric motor50. During ascending, the door 511 having the restoring spring 511 ofthe lift plate 54 will automatically turn downward. After ascending, thedoor 511 will automatically turn upward. The stack motor 45 drives thetransmission gear 46, the transmission rack 49, the push rod 47 and thepush member 42 to retract for next tile stack and lift.

Compared to the prior art, the present invention has a simpleconfiguration and the tiles can be shuffled quickly about 5 to 8seconds. There is no chain, turning angel and jam. The present inventionprovides four places to draw tiles, stack tiles and lift tiles, which isquiet and cost-effective. The failure rate is low. There is no need formaintenance. Only one set of tiles is required for playing games.

As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the conveying mechanism further comprisesan electric valve 8 and a tile sensor 89 mounted on a side wall of aconveying passage. The electric valve 8 is adapted to control the passof the tiles 27 on the conveying belt in the conveying passage throughdisconnecting or connecting the power supply. The tile sensor 89 isadapted to count the tiles passing the conveying belt. When the tilesreach the predetermined number, the tile sensor 89 will send out asignal. In order to achieve this function, the electric valve 8 and thetile sensor 89 are preferably disposed close to the working surface ofthe conveying belt. Alternatively, they are parallel to the tiles on theconveying belt in the conveying passage. The electric valve 8 iscontrolled by the signal from the tile sensor 89.

The electric valve 8 can be in different forms to control the pass ofthe tiles by disconnecting or connecting the power source. As shown inFIG. 8 and FIG. 9, in this embodiment, the electric valve 8 comprises anelectric valve shaft 81, a reset spring 82 and an electromagnet 83. Theelectromagnet 83 uses the frame-type JY-0730T electromagnet. When theelectric valve 8 is disconnected from the power source, the electricvalve shaft 81 is retracted in the electric valve by the reset spring82, not interfering with the conveying of the tiles. When the electricvalve 8 is connected with the power source, by the action of theelectromagnet 83, the electric valve shaft 81 will extend out of theelectric valve to stop the surplus tiles, so that the required tiles canbe conveyed exactly and conveniently. The cost is lowered. In order toachieve the aforesaid function, the present invention uses the electricvalve as the conveying device. The connection way is a traditionaltechnique and won't be described in detail hereinafter.

The tile sensor 89 can be infrared light control, temperature control ormagnetic control to count the tiles passing the conveying belt and tosend out a signal when the tiles reach the predetermined number. Inorder to achieve the aforesaid function, the tile sensor is used as theconveying device of the present invention. The sensor with its otherparts and their connection are the traditional technique, which can bepurchased on the market. To count the number of the tiles can be set bya program. The electronic valve is controlled by the signal from thetile sensor. The circuit how to control the electric valve by the signalis the prior art and won't be described hereinafter.

The distance between the electric valve and the tile sensor is to ensurethe electric valve can close the conveying passage in time when the tilesensor detect the tiles reach the predetermined number. Preferably, thedistance is not smaller than the length of a tile on the conveying belt,for example, equal to or slight greater than the length of a tile. Thedistance between them means the working distance in the conveyingdirection, such as the distance between the electric valve shaft and thetile sensor in the conveying direction. The position of them is notlimited to the same side. Either of them can be in front of the otherone. The operation program will do the corresponding setting. As shownin FIG. 8, in this embodiment, the electric valve is located behind thetile sensor.

The present invention has a simple configuration and is cost-effective.The tiles can be counted and conveyed exactly and conveniently toenhance the fun of the tile-based game machine.

Preferably, as shown in FIG. 10, FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the push member 42has a contact surface at a certain angle. When the lift plate 54 isdescended to the lowest and the push member 42 pushes the tiles 27 tothe lift plate 54, the contact surface of the push member 42 is contactwith the tiles 27 and perpendicular to the lift plate 54. Thus, thetiles on the lift plate are ascended to the tabletop and arranged inorder.

The present invention further comprises a lid 44 disposed at an upperend of the push member or at an upper end of the tile passage. The lid44 has a bottom surface. The tiles have a thickness. The distancebetween the bottom surface of the lid and the tiles is smaller than thethickness of the tiles. The bottom surface of the lid can be flat oroblique to ensure the topmost tile won't move upward. Preferably, thedistance between the bottom surface of the lid and the tiles is from 1mm to 2 mm, which is beneficial to achieve the aforesaid object. Thesize and shape of the lid can be changed and its installation is theprior art, just not interfering with the operation of the push member topush the tiles to the lift plate as well as the operation of the liftplate to ascend the tiles to the tabletop. The size of the lid isadapted to cover both the tile passage and the push member, or to coverthe tile passage only, or to cover the middle portion of the tilepassage. The shape of the lid can be sealed or hollow. The lid can beinstalled to the upper ends of both sides of the tile passage ordisposed above the tile passage or the push member through support ribs.

As shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the automatic tile-based game machinefurther comprises a stop device 9. The stop device 9 comprises a pair ofstop plates 91 and an elasticity setting device 92. The pair of stopplates 91 is disposed at both sides of the tile passage 7. Preferably,the pair of stop plates 91 is located at the exit end of the tilepassage 7, close to the lift plate 54. The size, shape and height of thestop plates 91 are not limited, just not interfering with the pushmember 42 to push the tiles 27 and the installation of the entiretile-based game machine. The elasticity setting device 92 is mounted onthe stop plates 91 for the stop plates 91 to be pushed away toward thedirection that the tiles are moved forward. The number of the elasticitysetting device 92 can be one, two or more. As shown in FIG. 13, in thisembodiment, there are two elasticity setting devices 92 at each sideunder consideration of cost and effect. The stop plates 91 can be directmounted at both sides of the tile passage 7 through the elasticitysetting device 92. The design can overcome the problems that the stackedtiles are not neat and the tiles fall to the lift plate. The cost can belowered greatly.

Each stop plate can be a big piece or a small piece or a plurality ofpieces. The installation position of the stop plate can be at the upperend or both upper and lower ends, or corresponding to each layer of thetiles 27. The number of the stop plates corresponds to the number of thetiles layers. In order to save the cost, the installation position cancorrespond to the middle thickness of each layer. This is beneficial toovercome the problems that the stacked tiles are not neat and the tilesfall to the lift plate. The cost can be lowered greatly.

In this embodiment, the elasticity setting spring is a torque spring.This is beneficial to overcome the problems that the stacked tiles arenot neat and the tiles fall to the lift plate. The cost can be loweredgreatly.

The working procedures are as follows:

First, as to the conveying device, according to the program setting, thetile sensor mounted at the side wall of the conveying passage counts thenumber of the tiles passing the conveying belt. When tiles reach thepredetermined number, the tile sensor will send a signal for theelectric valve to be connected with the power source. The electric valvewill close the conveying passage. The electric valve shaft extends outto stop the surplus tiles. When the tiles are required to pass, theelectric valve is disconnected from the power source and the electricvalve shaft is retracted into the electric valve by the setting spring.

Secondly, as to the push device, the push member 42 has a contactsurface at a certain angle. When the lift plate 54 is descended to thelowest and the push member 42 pushes the tiles 27 to the lift plate 54,the contact surface of the push member 42 is contact with the tiles 27and perpendicular to the lift plate 54. Thus, the tiles on the liftplate are ascended to the tabletop and arranged in order.

Finally, as to the stop device, when the stop plates meet the power,such as the push member pushes the tile to move forward, the stop plateswill be pushed to be hidden. After the articles pass, the stop plateswill be pushed back to its original position by the elasticity settingdevice, so that the tiles can be arranged in order and stably. This isbeneficial to overcome the problems that the stacked tiles are not neatand the tiles fall to the lift plate. The cost can be lowered greatly.

Thus, when the tile-based game machine runs, the push member 42 pushesthe tiles 27 to pass the tile passage 7. Through the stop device, thetiles are pushed to the lift plate 54 in order and lifted to thetabletop for the players to play the game.

The present invention further comprises a sensor facing the tiles on theconveying belt of the conveying mechanism to detect the tiles whetherthey face upward. In this embodiment, the sensor is TCRT5000 sensor.When playing the game, the tiles on the table must face downward.Through the shuffle mechanism, the tiles are attracted to face downward.When in use, few of the tiles may face upward, but the probability isvery low. The sensor is adapted to detect the tiles facing upward. Whenthere is a tile facing upward, the sensor sends a signal to the CPU ofthe control system. The CPU controls the conveying motor 36 to turnreversely. The conveying motor 36 brings the conveying belt to movereversely, so that the tiles are retracted from the conveying belt tothe shuffle mechanism to shuffle again.

Although particular embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed in detail for purposes of illustration, various modificationsand enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not tobe limited except as by the appended claims.

1. A tile-based game machine, comprising a table, the table beingprovided with a shuffle mechanism, four conveying mechanisms, four stackmechanisms, four lift mechanisms and a central lift mechanism, the fourconveying mechanisms, the four stack mechanisms and the four liftmechanisms being disposed on four sides of the table, the lift mechanismcomprising a lift plate, one end of the lift plate being coupled to thetable, another end of the lift plate being a movable end, a lift bracketprovided under the lift plate, a crank provided under the lift bracketto cooperate with the lift bracket, and an electric motor connected withthe crank.
 2. The automatic tile-based game machine as claimed in claim1, wherein the stack mechanism comprises a support seat, the supportseat communicating with the lift plate through a tile passage, thesupport seat being disposed at an exit of the conveying mechanism, theposition of the support seat being lower than the exit of the conveyingmechanism, a tile stop provided opposite the exit of the conveyingmechanism, a detection light control provided on the tile stop, a pushmember provided at one side of the support seat and installed on a pushrod, the push rod being mounted on a transmission rack, the transmissionrack being mounted on a slide rod, a transmission gear meshing with thetransmission rack, a stack motor connected with the transmission gear.3. The automatic tile-based game machine as claimed in claim 2, whereinthe conveying mechanism comprises a draw wheel, the draw wheel beingdisposed above a shuffle plate, the draw wheel comprising a plurality ofsmall strong magnets therein, the conveying mechanism further comprisinga driving wheel, a driven wheel and a conveying belt to connect thedriving wheel, the driven wheel and the draw wheel, and a conveyingmotor connected with the driving wheel.
 4. The automatic tile-based gamemachine as claimed in claim 3, wherein the shuffle mechanism is disposedat a central portion of the table, the shuffle mechanism comprising ashuffle barrel, the shuffle barrel comprising the shuffle plate therein,the shuffle plate having a plurality of scrape ribs thereon, atransmission gear connected with the shuffle plate, a main driving gearconnected with the transmission gear, an electric motor connected withthe main driving gear, a plurality of ribs provided on the periphery ofthe shuffle plate, a plurality of strong magnets provided under theshuffle plate.
 5. The automatic tile-based game machine as claimed inclaim 4, wherein the shuffle plate has a high central portion and alower circumferential edge to form an inclination, the shuffle platehaving four scrape ribs radially from the center of the shuffle plate,tiles each having a weak magnet therein, through the action ofmagnetism, the faces of the tiles being kept to face downward by thestrong magnets, the draw wheel being disposed above the ribs of theshuffle plate, the support seat having a first end close to the pushmember and a second end, the first end being lower than the second end,a small strong magnet provided under the support seat, the movable endof the lift plate being provided with a door, the door being providedwith a restoring spring.
 6. The automatic tile-based game machine asclaimed in claim 1, claim 2, claim 3, claim 4 or claim 5, wherein oneend of the crank is connected with the electric motor and another end ofthe crank is a movable end, the movable end of the crank being providedwith a bearing, the lift bracket having a hook extending from a leftside thereof to cooperate with the bearing, the crank being providedwith an induction magnet and a lift control plate corresponding inposition to the crank, the lift control plate being provided with anupper sensor and a lower sensor corresponding in position to theinduction magnet of the crank when the lift plate is ascended anddescended.
 7. The automatic tile-based game machine as claimed in claim6, wherein the conveying mechanism further comprises an electric valveand a tile sensor mounted on a side wall of a conveying passage, theelectric valve being adapted to control pass of the tiles on theconveying belt in the conveying passage through disconnecting orconnecting a power supply, the tile sensor being adapted to count thetiles passing the conveying belt, when the tiles reach a predeterminednumber, the tile sensor sending out a signal, the electric valve beingcontrolled by the signal from the tile sensor.
 8. The automatictile-based game machine as claimed in claim 7, wherein the electricvalve comprises an electric valve shaft, a reset spring and anelectromagnet, when the electric valve is disconnected from the powersource, the electric valve shaft being retracted in the electric valveby the reset spring, when the electric valve is connected with the powersource, by the action of the electromagnet, the electric valve shaftextending out of the electric valve to stop the surplus tiles.
 9. Theautomatic tile-based game machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein thepush member of the stack mechanism has a contact surface at a certainangle, the contact surface of the push member being contact with tilesand perpendicular to the lift plate when the lift plate is descended tothe lowest and the push member pushes the tiles to the lift plate. 10.The automatic tile-based game machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein thestack mechanism further comprises a stop device, the stop devicecomprising a pair of stop plates and an elasticity setting device, thepair of stop plates being disposed at two sides of the tile passage, theelasticity setting device being mounted on the stop plates for the stopplates to be pushed away toward the direction that the tiles are movedforward.
 11. The automatic tile-based game machine as claimed in claim6, wherein the conveying mechanism further comprises a sensor facing thetiles on the conveying belt of the conveying mechanism to detect thetiles whether they face upward.